Blend control unit interlock



Jan. 28, 1969 D. w. NELSON 3,424,348

BLEND CONTROL UNIT INTERLOGK Filed Feb. 17, 1967 D- W. NELSON BLEND CONTROL UNIT INTERLOCK Jan. 28, 1969 Sheet 2 of2 Filed Feb. .7, 1967 United States Patent 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An interlocking device located between the operating lever and the blend selector of a blending dispenser for preventing blend changes during a dispensing operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an interlock for a gasoline dispenser and more particularly to a blend control unit interlock that permits the blend selector knob to be positioned when the dispenser is o a one-handed operation, and prevents repositioning of blend selector knob when dispenser is on.

Most gasoline blending dispensers include a blend selector release handle that must be held in the released position while positioning the blend selector knob, making blend selection normally a two-handed operation. When a new gasoline blend is desired the release latch is moved out of locking engagement with the blend selector mechanism by manipulating a separate release handle 'so the selector can be moved to another gasoline blend. Before dispensing the new blend the release latch must first be moved back into locking engagement with blend selector mechanism to prevent variation of the blend during the dispensing operation.

In the past, the dispensing operation required the manipulation of several handles located on the exterior of the dispenser housing. The operation was time consuming and had an adverse effect on the efficiency of the gasoline station attendant.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a highly reliable and dependable interlocking device for a blending dispenser that prevents blend selection when the dispenser is operating.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a blend control unit interlock is provided for a gasoline blending dispenser. A release latch is connected for movement toward and away from locking engagement with the blend selector of the dispenser to prevent variation of the gas@ line blend when the latch is locked in place. A dispenser control operates to activate the dispenser and a linkage extending between the control and the release latch is provided for withdrawing the latch from locking engagement with the blend selector when the control deactivates the dispenser.

The blend control unit interlock also includes a pawl that cooperates with the blend selector to accurately position the selector at the selected gasoline blend. The linkage has a nose portion that engages the pawl to prevent activation of the dispenser when the blend selector is inaccurately positioned at the selected gasoline blend, or when one of the several available blend selections is purposely blocked for non-usage by positioning a stop on the selector that prevents the pawl from positioning properly. The nose portion of the linkage is arranged to clear the pawl only when the blend selector is accurately positioned at the selected gasoline blend.

The nose portion of the linkage has an inclined surface that engages the pawl when the blend selector is inaccurately positioned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Novel features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a left side elevational view of a dispenser according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a right side elevational view of the dispenser illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of a blend control unit interlock according to the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view similar to FIGURE 3 showing a different sequence of operation;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged elevational view of the blend control unit interlock shown in FIGURES 3 and 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the interlock shown in FIGURE 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGURES l and 2 illustrate a gasoline dispenser 10 for blending a variety of gasoline mixtures from two gasoline sources. In many respects the dispenser is similar to the apparatus disclosed in Young Patent 2,880,908, granted Apr. 7, 1959. Like Young, the dispenser 10 of the present invention has a blend selector panel 12 with nine gasoline blends indicated on the panel. A blend selector knob 14 located in the center of the panel, as shown in FIGURE 1, is easily moved to the desired gasoline blend by simply rotating the knob so that the pointer portion is directed toward the desired blend. Rotation of the blend selector knob operates a valve controlling mechanism that determines the amount of each gasoline component in the final blend.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the side of the dispenser opposite the blend selector panel carries a hose 16 having a nozzle 18. A nozzle boot 20 is provided for releasably securing the nozzle and hose to the dispenser when not in use. The dispenser 10 also includes a reset lever 22 for resetting the dispenser to zero conditions prior to the next sale of gasoline. Additionally, the exterior of the dispenser has an operator control lever 24 for activating and deactivating the dispenser, as described more fully below. The dispenser 10 also includes a computer 26 for calculating the price of the gasoline blend dispensed. This computer indicates the price for the total number of gallons delivered of a particular gasoline blend, in the same manner as disclosed by Young.

In accordance with the present invention, the operator control lever 24 is connected to activate the dispenser and manipulate a blend selector release latch 28 pivoted to the framework of the dispenser by a pivot pin 30. The control lever is connected to a transverse shaft 32 journaled to the framework of the dispenser by an appropriate linkage arrangement (not shown). An arm interlock 34 fixed at one end of the transverse shaft 32 is connected to the blend release latch 28 by a connecting link 36. As shown best in FIGURE 5, the release latch 28 is connected for swinging movement toward and away from a blend selector mechanism 38 on the pivot pin 30 by link 36 and interlock arm 34 from transverse shaft 32.

The blend selector 38 comprises a disc 40 having a plurality of equiangularly spaced pins 42 disposed at spaced intervals adjacent the periphery of the disc. The disc is attached to a transverse shaft 44 journaled to the framework of the dispenser. The shaft 44 carries a pin 46 that provides a coupling for the above-mentioned selector knob 14 located on the exterior of the dispenser. As can readily be understood, rotation of the selector knob causes the blend selector disc to rotate which in turn controls the grade of the gasoline to be delivered, in the same manner described in the Young patent.

The dispenser of the present invention also includes a pawl 50 pivoted to the dispenser framework by the pin 30. The pawl has an enlarged terminal portion 52 that rests between selected pairs of adjacent pins on the blend selector disc 40 when the blend selector mechanism is accurately positioned at the desired gasoline blend. A coil spring 54 connected between the framework of the dispenser and the pawl 50 functions to urge the pawl toward the blend selector disc. The pawl is designed so that enlarged terminal portion 52 engages each pin of a selected pair when the blend selector is accurately positioned at the selected blend. Accordingly, in most instances the coil spring 54 operates to urge the pawl to the full extent of its inward swinging motion. This position occurs when the enlarged terminal portion engages each pin of an associated pair determined by the gasoline blend selected. Thus, the coil spring acting on the pawl 50 functions to rotate slightly the disc 40 of the blend selector 38 when the disc is inaccurately positioned at the selected position. Rotation of the disc continues until the enlarged terminal portion of the pawl is positioned between a selected pair of pins on the disc.

As described above, the control lever 24 rotates the transverse shaft 32 connected to the blend selector release latch 28 by the arm interlock 34 and the link 36. The arm interlock has a nose portion 56 that functions to prevent activation of the dispenser when the selector is inaccurately positioned at the selected gasoline blend. This nose portion is defined in part by an inclined surface 58 that engages a right angle portion 60 integrally connected to the pawl 50 when the disc 40 is inaccurately positioned. The nose portion 56 of the arm interlock 34 is designed to clear the right angle portion of the pawl 50 only when the blend selector is accurately positioned at the selected blend and the enlarged terminal portion of the pawl is seated between a pair of pins on the disc 40. Under these conditions continued rotation of the control lever causes the blend selector release latch 28, connected to the lever by the link 36, arm 34 and transverse shaft 32, to move between selected pins 42 on the disc. These pins are the same pins against which the enlarged terminal portion of the pawl is seated.

When the blend selector release latch 28 is positioned between selected pins on the disc 40 of the blend selector 38 changes of the blend can only be accomplished by first moving the control lever 24 so as to inactivate the dispenser. Such movement of the control lever then causes the blend selector release latch to move out of locking engagement with the blend selector disc whereby the disc can be moved to another blend selection. Thus, the pawl 50 and the blend selector release latch 28 together with the arm 34 and the link 36 function as an interlock to prevent changes of the gasoline blend when the dispenser is operating. These components also prevent activation of the dispenser when the selector mechanism is inaccurately positioned.

In operation, the dispenser of the present invention operates to dispense several different gasoline blends in the following manner. Assuming a particular gasoline blend has just been dispensed the control lever 24 is moved to its off position to inactivate the dispenser. Movement of the control lever causes the arm interlock 34 connected to the lever by the transverse shaft 32 to move from the on position to the off position, as illustrated in FIGURE 5. Such movement of the arm interlock causes the blend selector release latch to move out of locking engagement with the disc 40 of the blend selector. As can readily be understood, the geometry of the arm interlock 34 and the link 36 is such that the latch is positioned away from the blend selector disc 40 when the control lever is rotated to the off position.

When the blend selector release latch is positioned away from the blend selector disc 40, the disc is free to rotate in response to movement of the knob 14 connected to the disc by the shaft 44. The knob 14 can then be rotated to the desired gasoline blend to thereby reposition the valve mechanism of the dispenser so that the selected gasoline blend is delivered. Once the selector knob 14 is so positioned the control lever 24 is moved to its on position to activate the dispenser. As described above, when the blend selector disc 40 is accurately positioned the enlarged terminal portion 52 of the pawl 50 is in engagement with a pair of adjacent pins on the disc which correspond to the selected gasoline blend. With the enlarged terminal portion of the pawl so positioned, movement of the control lever 24 to its on position causes the nose portion 56 of the arm interlock 34 to move downwardly past the right angle portion 60 on the pawl. After the nose portion clears the pawl the release latch is locked in place and the dispenser is activated. Finally, by depressing the lever on the nozzle 18 gasoline at the desired blend is dispensed through the hose 16.

Under most conditions the coil spring 54 urges the enlarged terminal portion 52 of the pawl 50 against a pair of selected pins on the blend selector disc 40. In some instances, however, the coil spring does not properly position the enlarged terminal portion 52 of the pawl against a pair of selected pins on the blend selector disc. This position of the pawl is illustrated in FIGURE 5. Under these conditions, when the control lever is moved to activate the dispenser the inclined surface 58 of the nose 56 on the arm interlock abuts the right angle portion 60 on the pawl. As the nose portion clears the right angle portion 60 on the pawl the release latch is locked in place and the dispenser is activated.

When the pawl is positioned a substantial distance away from its seated location, the nose of the arm interlock engages the right angle portion on the pawl to prevent activation of the dispenser, Under these conditions the dispenser cannot be activated until the selector knob 14 is adjusted so that rotation of the knob to a selected gasoline blend accurately positions the blend selector disc at the selected blend.

With this type of arrangement once the gasoline blend is selected only the control lever is manipulated. Movement of the control lever positions the blend release latch between selected pins on the blend selector disc and then activates the dispenser thereby preventing changes of the gasoline blend when the dispenser is operating. The interlock also has the added feature of preventing activation of the dispenser when the blend selector disc is inaccurately positioned.

What is claimed is:

1. A blend control unit interlock for a gasoline dispenser having a blend selector for varying gasoline blends, the interlock comprising a release latch connected for movement toward and away from locking engagement with the blend selector for preventing variation of the gasoline blend when the latch is in locking engagement with the selector, operator control means connected to activate the dispenser, a linkage extending between the operator control means and the release latch for withdrawing the latch from locking engagement with the blend selector when the control means is moved to deactivate the dispenser whereby the blend selector can be moved to another blend selection, a pawl connected to engage the blend selector to accurately position the selector at the selected gasoline blend and biasing means urging the pawl into engagement with the selector.

2. A blend control unit interlock as in claim 1, wherein the blend selector includes a disc having a plurality of equiangularly spaced lugs and the pawl comprises a lever having a free end that fits between adjacent lugs on the disc to accurately position the blend selector at a predetermined position corresponding to the selected gasoline blend.

3. A blend control unit interlock for a gasoline dispenser having a blend selector for varying gasoline blends,

the interlock comprising a release latch connected for movement toward and away from locking engagement with the blend selector for preventing variation of the gasoline blend when the latch is in locking engagement with the selector, operator control means connected to activate the dispenser, a linkage extending between the operator control means and the release latch for withdrawing the latch from locking engagement with the blend selector when the control means is moved to deactivate the dispenser whereby the blend selector can be moved to another blend selection, a pawl connected to engage the blend selector to accurately position the selector at the selected gasoline blend and biasing means urging the pawl into engagement with the selector, the linkage including a nose portion that engages the pawl to prevent activation of the dispenser when the selector is inaccurately positioned at the selected gasoline blend and the operator control means is moved to activate the dispenser.

FOREIGN PATENTS 2/ 1963 Great Britain. 4/ 1964 Great Britain.

ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

H. S. LANE, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

